There’s a new holiday event in town.
Beginning Nov. 23 and running through New Year’s Day, the Savannah Harbor Festival of Lights will transform the old race track on Hutchinson Island into a twinkling wonderland.
Sixty-seven large-scale animated light displays, averaging 30 feet by 50 feet, will be staged around the 2-mile track. Visitors can choose to take their own cars or ride in trolleys or horse-drawn carriages around the course.
After viewing the lights, visitors can park at the Pit and Paddock at the end of the drive-through. In the Grand Prize Park, refreshments and family friendly activities will be available.
Events will include entertainment, live scenes, an exotic animal show and petting zoo, caroling and a bonfire. Visitors can fill up on such goodies as s’mores, cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider and, on weekends, chili and hot dogs.
The festival is sponsored by the Savannah Harbor Foundation with presenting sponsor the Savannah Morning News. The festival will begin with an opening ceremony on Nov. 23, complete with the arrival of Santa, who will illuminate the lights.
“The Savannah Morning News and SavannahNow.com are proud to join with the Savannah Harbor Foundation to bring this exciting, family oriented event to the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry,” says Michael C. Traynor, publisher of the Savannah Morning News and SavannahNow.com. “The Savannah Harbor Festival of Lights is destined to become the area’s premier holiday event, attracting thousands of visitors to spectacular light displays and family activities.”
Best of all, the proceeds of the Savannah Holiday Festival of Lights will assist at-risk and disadvantaged youth and families that are homeless or in need. Agencies that will benefit include the Greenbriar Children’s Center, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, Performance Initiatives, AWOL All Walks of Life Inc., The Interfaith Hospitality Network and Bethesda Academy.
In addition, a fundraising booth will be set up in the Pit and Paddock to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund, and a canned food drive will take place for Lighthouse Ministry.
“There will be lots of lights, almost 2 miles of lighted displays around Hutchinson Island,” says Laura Simpson, director of special events for the Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The field in the center of the track is about 20 acres that have been cleared out. We’ll have programs there.”
That includes shows by the Staples Safari Traveling Zoo and Educational Programs, founded and operated by biologist and conservationist Brian Staples. “Brian Staples rescues exotic animals and, to pay for their keep, travels and does shows,” Simpson says.
“There will be a show with monkeys, baboons, lemurs, a panther and a petting zoo that will be set up to look like a nativity scene,” she says. “The animals will be decked in traditional garb he brought back from Israel.”
There will be a stage for performances, including scenes from “A Christmas Carol” that will be presented by AWOL.
“There will be therapy ponies and camel rides,” Simpson says.
On New Year’s weekend, the second annual Alive in Savannah, a family centered celebration, will be presented. At 8:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, there will be fireworks.
The cost is $20 per car for as many people as can fit in a personal car, which includes a $5 food voucher. For persons who arrive on buses or in large groups, the cost will be $5 per person.
The food voucher can be used towards any purchase of food at the festival. Additional purchases will cost $2.50 for items such as cookies, hot cider, hot chocolate and other foods, and $4 for a s’mores package that will include enough ingredients for two people.
Events will change throughout the festival, and with so many options, families will want to return again and again, says Mark Spadoni, president of the Savannah Harbor Foundation and the general manager of the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa.
“If you come back, it will be a whole different experience,” he promises.
IF YOU GO
What: Savannah Harbor Festival of Lights
When: 6-10 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, from Nov. 23 through Jan. 1
Where: Hutchinson Island
Cost: $20 per car, which includes a $5 food and beverage voucher
Info: savannahharborfestivalloflights.com
Also: The Lighted Boat Parade will take place from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 24 along River Street